AFCON 2025: Victor Osimhen Proud to Follow Rashidi Yekini’s Path as Super Eagles’ Top Goalscorer

Victor Osimhen has opened up about the honor of following in the footsteps of the late Rashidi Yekini as he continues his journey to becoming the Super Eagles’ all-time top goalscorer. His comments come just ahead of Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 opener against Tanzania’s Taifa Stars in Fès on Tuesday.

Rashidi Yekini, Nigeria’s legendary striker who scored the country’s first-ever World Cup goal in 1994, has long held the record as the Super Eagles’ top goalscorer. While several Nigerian forwards, including Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Obafemi Martins, have come close, none have managed to surpass Yekini’s iconic tally of 30 goals.

Now, Victor Osimhen has reached 31 goals for the Super Eagles, putting him second at the top of the national scoring charts. Speaking with Nigerian photo-journalist Pooja at AFCON 2025 in Morocco, Osimhen reflected on this personal milestone:

"To be honest, I never had this in my mind. Even when I started playing for the Super Eagles, I never checked who the top scorer in Nigeria’s history was. I was just focused on helping my teammates with goals and assists. But to be up there with the greatest striker the country has ever produced is something to be proud of. The late Rashidi Yekini is the greatest striker Nigeria has ever produced, and I am happy to follow in his path."